Regular air filter VS. K&N or similar

[JoshT]

I haven't read everything and ain't going to. I've already made my decision, if it has a MAF it doesn't get a K&N. That's my decision and I ain't going to argue about it, discuss it, or change it. Just want to throw out another option since the OP did say K&N or similar.

I'm assuming that the OP is interested in the washable and reusable aspect of the K&N. There is another option that meets that criteria, the AME Dry Flow filter. Wash it when it gets dirty and reinstall it after it dries, no oil involved. When I bought my KIA new, the first time it needed a filter I put one in and it will last the life of the car filter. I keep a cheap paper element on the shelf so that I have something to run while the filter is drying, but since it gets used a day at most it'll last near the life of the car as well. I could have run a K&N on it since there's no MAF, but KIA Canada installs the AEM in one of their upgrade packages so I decided it was the better option for me. Guesstimated savings over the life of the car about 320 bucks, that's based on keeping the car to 150K and replacing the air filter every other oil change.

Glad I opened this thread, it reminded me that the filter is due for a washing this oil change.

 

[OilPatch197]

I would be concerned with the paper filter IF it got wet or muddy. Ford Trucks do have MAF sensors, right?

If so, a restrictive air filter won't hurt anything, because the MAF sensor will adjust accordingly.

I buy WIX Gold paper elements, they have more pleats (surface area) and paper elements get more efficient as they get dirtier.

I would K&N on a "mudder".

 

[ridgerunner]

Muddin'...I'd do a foam filter like a Uni on with a prefilter.